Poem written for a girl just about to turn 40

Published on February 20th, 2013

If life begins at forty
You’ll soon be in good health
(I’m writing this three days before your birthday on the twelfth).
Which means that, though your life begins on Tuesday next at dawn,
I’m writing to a woman who, as yet, ain’t even born!

I hope you won’t be too forlorn,
I hope you’ll get my drift,
That if (as yet) you are not born
You won’t require a gift!
And though we’ve seen some gifts we’re sure you’d absolutely die for,
Your state of non-existence makes you very cheap to buy for.